SXSW Wednesday

Hell of a first day.

Me and Eric started it off by getting out of town with the mountain bikes, riding at Rocky Hill Ranch for a few great hours in the morning. My first time riding a 29-er, a Gunnar steel beauty, and I have to say I'm impressed. And buying one. But this is about music.

Our first couple shows were random and not great, as we stopped at the Guitar Town party just in time for all the filler. Just the Silos and some boring country stuff. Snoozola. The Gourds came on at about 7:30 or so and it just wasn't doing it for me. Packed in with a bad crowd. So we bolted. Time to get the Rock on.

We made our way to Stubb's for the New Pornographers, but got there early enough for Blacklight Morning something something. Slow and repetitive Califonish blues rawk that never really did anything but run through some nice grooves and loops. Good for background music at home, not so exciting live. But the New Pornos did not disappoint. Neko and AC were both in fine form, belting it out like pros, and by the time they hit set closer Spanish Techno they had the bass dialed in and sounded great.

From there we went to the Emo's Annex to see WHY?, but we were early and there was no line so we fast-walked it over to Fox and Hound to investigate a rumor. The rumor was true, as it turns out, and we got there just in time to stand in the alley in the rain and listen to The Flaming Lips do a dead-on and brilliant cover of Bohemian Rhapsody. What a moment. We stayed for a couple songs then headed back.

WHY? pulled off a really good set, mostly new stuff with a couple old tracks and some not yet heard new stuff. Waterfalls and Rubber Traits were fantastic, as was Crushed Bones. 3 of them, playing all manner of percussion and keys and a guitar, sounded awesome.

Cathy called as that set was winding down to let us know that she just walked right into the Parish for Art Brut, so we beat feet over there and got in just before the big line formed. They put on a great and hilarious rock show, very glad we caught them. They brought out the hits and the kids loved it.

Now it's Thursday, and we just left Yard Dog where we saw Tapes n Tapes, great show, maybe the best yet. We'll clean up and head out for the day--hopefully we'll see the Editors, Earlimart, Gogogo Airheart, Willowz, and a couple other shows, all before our dinner date with Spoon.

Here we go again.